Bustle.



P'ATBNTED APR. 12, 1904.

E. VAUGHN.

BUSTLE.

APPLIOATION FILED 00129, 1901.

no MODEL.

I WITNESSES: 5184.40 5AM ATTORNEYS Patented April 12, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

ELLA VAUGHN, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

BUSTLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 757,369, dated April 12, 1904.

Application filed october 9, 1901. Serial No. 78,036. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may ooncern:

Be it known that I, ELLA VAUGHN, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of New ing is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, in which s1m1lar figures of reference lndicate corresponding parts.

The subjectof the present invention is a bustle, and has for its more prominent objects the production of a light, efiicient, and comparatively inexpensive article of this character which shall also possess considerable resiliency, as well as be free from moisture-absorbing liability.

Ihave found that what is variously known as vegetable sponge or looka is highly adapted for many reasons for forming the body of the bustle. This vegetable sponge comes in lengths of fibrous residue, secured by treating the natural vegetable product to deprive it of all constituents save the tough springy interlaced fibers. In vegetable sponge or looka this fibrous residue is in the form of a longitudinal pad comprising a plurality of thicknesses of the closely-intertwin ed fibers, thus increasing the serviceability of the article for use in connection with bustles. The free fibrous character of the pads also affords adequate ventilation, thereby preventing the bustle from becoming uncomfortable in warm weather.

A satisfactory embodiment of my invention consists in securing together at their contiguous edges a series of the looka sections of varying length to confer the approximate shield cont-our generally required in a bustlepad, the secured sections being transversely curved by heat, pressure, or otherwise to make the pad conforrnnicely when worn. The edge of the fibrous pad is bound by a strip of textile fabric folded and stitched thereon. At about the center of the upper bound edge is a tab which suspends the bustle-shield from a length of tape having at one end a buckle, presenting a waist band or belt by which the bustle can be secured to the person of the wearer. A sheathing or case of linen or other shape.

suitable fabric can be slipped over the pad to incase and impart a finished appearance to the same, said sheathing or case being suitably secured in position. For this latter purpose the top portion of the binding can have at either side of the suspending-tab and at both rear and front buttons adapted to engage in buttonholes in the top portions of the sheathing or case when drawn on the pad.

The moderate liability of the fiber for becoming soiled and the ease by which it can be readily relieved of dirt permits the bustle to be washed whenever desired, the ready-drying quality of the fiber rendering the article quickly serviceable for use after each washing operation.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved bustle, the shield-case being omitted. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the shield-case; and Fig. 3 is ahorizontal sectional view through the pad, the section being taken in the plane indicated by the broken line in Fig. 1.

Sections i of vegetable sponge or looka or other material having like characteristics are arranged parallel and stitched together at their edge portions, as indicated at 5 in Figs. 1 and 3. These secured sections i are cut or trimmed to impart to the pad, of which they constitute the body material, the desired shield or similar A binding 6, of fabric, is folded over and secured by stitching to the edge of the connected sections 4:. Attached about midway to the top of the bound portion is a tab 7, also secured to a tape 8, having a buckle 9 at one end to adapt it (the tape) to be passed around and secured to the waist of the wearer, and thereby serve as a suspending band or belt for the pad.

The bustle will acquire a more finished appearance and to a large degree be protected against wear and dirt by the employment of a case 10 of washable material and of such shape as will permit it to be drawn on and conform to the pad. The upper portions of the case are provided with buttonholes 11 for engaging buttons 12, secured to the top bound part of the pad on opposite sides of the same and at either side of the suspending pad.

In the production of the pad the desired transverse curvature can be imparted thereto in any suitable manner. For instance, the pad may be subjected to a shaping operation between appropriate formers, one of which is faced to provide for the rounded character of the fibrous sections-at the rear side of the pad.

Obviously the sections i may be arranged horizontally parallel.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

As a new article of manufacture, the bustle having a pad comprising sections of Vegetable sponge or looka, each formed with a fiat back surface and a convex outer surface, and joined tember, A. D. 1901.

' ELLA VAUGHN. Witnesses:

ANDREW HERO, J r..

JNo. J. WARD. 

